In Golden State, Jordan Poole has emerged as a major player for the Warriors. This season, the 22-year-old averaged 18.5 points, 4 assists, and 3.4 rebounds per game on 44.8% shooting.
In these playoffs, he has been given the ultimate green light by Steve Kerr, who tasked the young stud with leading the Warriors’ second unit:
“Just continue to be aggressive,” Poole said on his mindset when leading the Warriors’ second unit. “When Steph comes off the floor the defense tends to focus on me a little bit more, so continue to be aggressive and not only try to make plays for my teammates but try to look for more shots. Just keep my rhythm going. Whenever me and Steph play together, obviously play off that, but the coach is giving me the keys and my teammates trust me to put them in easy situations to score and to make plays, go out there and just be aggressive.”
After last night’s comeback victory in Game 2, the Dubs stand just two wins away from another NBA Finals appearance. It would be the sixth in just eight years for the Warriors.
But, no matter what happens this postseason, the Warriors have some big decisions to make about the future. Poole’s ascension has made the situation complicated for team GM Bob Myers, who has already gone on record to emphasize Poole’s importance:
“He’s been great, and I don’t know if we’d be where we are without him,” said Myers. “It’ll be interesting to see where it all keeps going. It’s a great experience, but he’s never been in the playoffs before this year. That’s what you want from any young player — to taste the playoffs and get a sense of it. A lot of players play a long career and don’t get this far. For him to be this young and get an opportunity, it’s really very valuable.”
Poole is due for some serious compensation, and the Warriors have made it clear they are willing to pay. The question is, who will have to leave to make room?
It will be a hard summer for the Warriors — but their only focus now is on the task at hand. If they can capture another championship this year, it would only further cement their status as one of the greatest dynasties in modern NBA history.
